Recommended Products & Resources

I wanted to create a list for you of the smart homeproducts I use in my home. After many years of trial and error, these products are the ones I have used to build a smart home that works.

I will continually update this list as new smart home products come out and as I add new features to my smart home. I will also link to blog posts that review the products in detail and provide guides on how to use and integrate the products.

Some of the links below are affiliate links. That just means that I will receive a small commission if you buy a product through the link. You do not pay a higher price by buying through these links. I will only recommend products to you that I have used and believe will benefit you.

Core Smart Home Products

The three products listed below are the core products that make up the foundation of your smart home. With these three products, you have the base to build out a smart home with full automation and voice control. You can read more about why I recommend these smart home products here: Create a Smart Home: Step 1

Amazon Echo

The 1st of 3 core products that form the foundation of your smart home. Add voice control to all your smart home devices plus so much more. Read more in our detailed Amazon Echo review.

The 2nd of 3 core products that form the foundation of your smart home. Add ambiance, lighting notifications and energy savings to your smart home with these LED bulbs. Smart bulbs are the fastest way to add lighting automation in your home. Read more in our Philips Hue Hub and Lights review.

The 3rd of 3 core products that form the foundation of your smart home. SmartThings is the brain of your smart home. Automate and monitor your smart home. This kit includes 1 motion sensor, 2 contact sensors, a smart plug and the hub. This is where the magic happens! Read more in our SmartThings review.

Connected Light Bulbs

Smart light bulbs are the fastest and most affordable way to add smart lighting to your home. These products are perfect for lamps, recessed lights and other accent lighting throughout your home. You can read more about why I recommend the Philips Hue smart light bulbs here: Review: Philips Hue Hub and Lights

Philips Hue Hub and Color Lights

The 2nd of 3 core products that form the foundation of your smart home. Add ambiance, lighting notifications and energy savings to your smart home with these LED bulbs. Smart bulbs are the fastest way to add lighting automation in your home. Read more in our Philips Hue Hub and Lights review.

Smart Light and Fan Switches

Smart light switches allow you add wireless control and automation to your primary home lighting. The convenience is great, but I was completely surprised by how much I saved on energy by having lights automatically shut off. Pair with SmartThings and Amazon Echo to control your lights and fans by voice.

* A Smart Home Hub (such as the SmartThings Hub) is required to use these products.

GE Z-Wave Plus Smart Lighting Control

Z-wave smart lighting switch. Add smart home control and automation to your existing lights. This product also acts as a z-wave repeater to extend the range of your smart home products. A neutral wire is required for installation.

* A Smart Home Hub (such as the SmartThings Hub) is required with this product

Z-wave smart lighting dimmer switch. Add smart home control and automation to your existing lights. This product also acts as a z-wave repeater to extend the range of your smart home products. A neutral wire is required for installation.

* A Smart Home Hub (such as the SmartThings Hub) is required with this product.

Turn on/off and control the speed of your ceiling fan with this switch. This product also acts as a z-wave repeater to extend the range of your smart home products. A neutral wire is required for installation.

* A Smart Home Hub (such as the SmartThings Hub) is required with this product.

Smart Outlets and Plugs

Smart outlets and plugs give you wireless on/off control of electronic devices that are plugged into them. These plugs work well for holiday lights or existing under cabinet lighting in your home. You can also use these plugs for fans, lamps or any other plug in device. There are indoor and outdoor options that can be automated or controlled with your voice using SmartThings and Amazon Echo.

* A Smart Home Hub (such as the SmartThings Hub) is required to use these products.

SmartThings Smart Outlet

ZigBee smart outlet. Turn on / off any device that plugs into an outlet. Use this to control existing under cabinet lights, floor fans, lamps, etc.

* A Smart Home Hub (such as the SmartThings Hub) is required with this product

Outdoor Z-wave smart outlet switch. Great product for controlling holiday lights. This is an exterior product that includes a weather resistant cover. Perfect for holiday lights! This product also acts as a z-wave repeater to extend the range of your smart home products.

* A Smart Home Hub (such as the SmartThings Hub) is required with this product.

Motion, Contact and Other Sensors

Motion and contact sensors provide the information your smart home needs to add automation and security to your home. Lights can automatically turn on/off as you walk into a room and your home can notify you if activity is detected when you are away. Home automation provides the greatest benefits of your smart home.

* A Smart Home Hub (such as the SmartThings Hub) is required to use these products.

Ecolink Z-wave motion sensor. Integrates perfectly with the SmartThings Hub to automate your lights or add security features to your home. Pet friendly! You can the sensitivity level of the motion sensor so your pets don't set off the sensor.

* A Smart Home Hub (such as the SmartThings Hub) is required with this product

SmartThings multipurpose sensor. Detect vibration, orientation/tilt, or whether or door or window is open or closed. This device can also detect temperature. Great for security and notifications for open doors, but there are an unlimited number of ways to use these devices.

* A Smart Home Hub (such as the SmartThings Hub) is required with this product

Ring Doorbell and Security Products

Ring makes a great line of smart home security products. I like to keep my smart home automation products separate from security products. However, it is beneficial to be able to link these two systems together. Ring products make this easy.

​

Ring Doorbell Pro

I use the Ring Pro​​ in my home and that is the device I recommend for anyone with a hardwired installation. The Ring Pro has a slim design, multiple color options and advanced motion detection.

Ring security is the best value in DIY security systems on the market. The system is very powerful and affordable. The monthly/annual monitoring fees are very reasonable and provide unlimited cloud video storage for your cameras.

Smart Home Accessories

There are hundreds of companies that make smart home products and accessories. A lot of these products are cheap and not worth putting in your home. However, there are a few companies that have excellent reputations and make great 3rd party products. Here is a list of companies I believe make great accessories for your smart home products.

Wasserstein - Wasserstein designs and manufactures a wide variety of accessories for multiple smart home products. This includes accessories for Nest, Ring, Arlo, Alexa, Google Home, Wyze Cam and more. You can find Wasserstein products at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target and Home Depot.

How should I start my Smart Home?

There are a lot of products and ways to build a smart home. You should start with a foundation of smart home products that will allow you to start small but expand in the future if you want. Here is an article on where you should start and what products you should start with first: Create a Smart Home: Step 1

Smart Home Focus is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.